Review Authors Research Articles

Long-term Survival After Cancer: A Scoping Review of the Health Care Landscape in Germany

Abstract Background Cancer remains a global health concern, with a significant increase in new cases projected in the coming years. Although cancer treatment and diagnosis have advanced, leading to improved survival, survivors often face complex physical, emotional, and cognitive challenges. The objective of this scoping review is to provide an overview of the current landscape of specialized long-term survivorship care services in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) with a focus on vulnerable groups. Methods The scoping review involves two search approaches: a manual search performed by two review authors and a systematic search performed by an information specialist following Scoping Review guidance. The protocol was published on the OSF platform. The systematic search was conducted in databases such as LIVIVIO, MEDLINE and Scopus. The manual search involves identifying key categories of survivorship services and conducting online searches based on these categories in duplicate. Data extraction and synthesis is conducted using EPPI-Reviewer software, and focuses on services characteristics, patient demographics, program format, and accessibility. Results The study has identified more than 300 survivorship care services across North Rhine-Westphalia. According to preliminary results some services offer comprehensive care, while others have significant gaps, particularly in addressing the needs of vulnerable groups. One example of these gaps is the lack of tailored services specifically designed for people with a migration background. Most of the services are not available in multiple languages or gender-specific oriented. The results will be presented on the congress in detail. Conclusions This scoping review underscores the importance of tailored survivorship care, especially for vulnerable groups. Public health actions should focus on addressing disparities in access to survivorship services, enhancing existing programs, and developing new policies to support cancer survivors. Key messages • Effective survivorship care requires attention to vulnerable groups. • The care of long-term cancer survivors should receive more attention in research.

Outcomes of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators in patients with a left ventricular assist device: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract Introduction Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillators (ICDs) improve survival in advanced heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and prevent sudden cardiac death. However, the prognostic benefits of ICDs among patients with a Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) remain uncertain and controversial. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the effectiveness and safety of ICD implantation among LVAD recipients. Methods We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. We searched PubMed and EMBASE for the peer-reviewed articles published in English assessing the impact of ICD implantation among LVAD recipients, till 10/01/2024. ICD implantation was defined as implantation before LVAD, simultaneous implantation with LVAD, or within 30 days of LVAD insertion. Two independent review authors assessed the quality and risk of bias of the included studies. A random-effect model was used to combine data in forest plots. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality associated with ICD implantation compared to no ICD implantation, and the secondary outcomes included ventricular arrhythmia (VT), and hemorrhagic stroke. Heterogeneity was assessed using Q test and I2, with I2 > 50% indicating marked heterogeneity. Results A total of 13 observational studies comprising 54571 recipients of LVAD were included in the analysis of the primary outcome. All-cause mortality was similar among patients with ICD versus no ICD (Odds Ratio [OR]= 0.77; 95% CI, 0.57-1.04, I2= 89%, P=0.09), as shown in Figure 1. Likewise, ICD implantation was associated with similar rates of VT and hemorrhagic stroke (VT: OR= 1.81, 95% Cl, 0.82-4.01, I2= 90%, P=0.14; hemorrhagic stroke: OR= 1.01, 95% Cl, 0.81-1.25, I2= 0%, P= 0.95). Conclusion Among patients with HFrEF and LVAD as advanced heart failure therapy, ICD implantation didn’t provide additional prognostic survival benefit, suggesting possible use of LVAD without ICD implantation.Figure 1.Forest plot of mortality

Transcatheter closure of patent ductus arteriosus: review of author’s experiences and observations

Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is a congenital cardiac defect (CCD) and comprises 8% to 10% of all CCDs. Following the description of surgical closure by Gross and colleagues in the 1930s, it has become a standard mode of therapy and remained so until the description of transcatheter techniques to occlude PDA by Porstmann, Rashkind and their associates in the late 1960s. This review paper discusses transcatheter occlusion techniques with buttoned devices, Giantuco coils , and Amplatzer devices with particular attention to author’s contributions to these methods.

Efficacy of endoscopic interventions versus surgery for pain management in patients with chronic calcific pancreatitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Chronic calcific pancreatitis (CCP) is a debilitating inflammatory condition characterized by the accumulation of calcific deposits in the pancreatic tissue, leading to chronic abdominal pain and functional insufficiencies. This study aims to systematically review and meta-analyse comparative studies assessing the efficacy of endotherapy versus surgery in managing CCP-related pain. MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane library (CENTRAL and CDSR), from inception to October 2023, were searched. The inclusion criteria encompassed randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non-randomized controlled trials (NRS), and cohort studies comparing endoscopic interventions to surgery for pain management in patients with CCP. Pain relief, procedural technical success, and procedural-related complications were the outcomes of interest. Two review authors (CN, KK) independently assessed study eligibility criteria and performed data extraction. Using a random-effects model, pooled odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. The level of certainty of the evidence was assessed using the GRADE approach. Five studies were included. For the outcome of pain relief, a meta-analysis of five studies (3 RCTs and 2 cohort studies) demonstrated a significant therapeutic effect in favour of surgery with an OR of 2.36 (95% CI: 1.12 to 5.00, I2 = 41.70), with moderate level of certainty of evidence. In the analysis of five studies (3 RCTs, 1 NRS and 2 cohort studies), procedural technical success was comparable between the two groups (OR of 3.02, 95% CI: 0.47 to 19.59, I2 = 79.27%) as were adverse events (OR 1.31, 95% CI: 0.47 to 3.70, I2 = 50.93%). In conclusion, this systematic review and meta-analysis suggest that surgery may be more effective in relieving pain in patients with CCP compared to endoscopic interventions. Disease stage may be important to determine the appropriateness of each procedure. PROSPERO (CRD42023476153).

The review of advanced methods and techniques for estimating research output in bibliometrics (Part 1)

The authors explore the significant changes in traditional bibliometrics, including distinctive innovations in this area. Within the five-year period (2019– 2024), two processes have had a significant impact on the methods and technologies: these are the COVID-19 pandemic period (recognition of the importance of open research outcomes) and the period of sanctions (an attempt to exclude Russia from the global scientific process).The authors review in brief the improvements of existing methods, e. g. the introduction of the system of beamplot diagrams and research-based citation analysis. The role of scientometrics in global rankings is evaluated. The focus is also made on new vectors of analysis development, such as altmetrics and artificial intelligence. The application of artificial intelligence tools not only ensures high speed but also lays the basis for the entirely new system for comparing scientific publications with the existing array of accumulated knowledge.

Contemporary Methods and Novel Approaches in the Identification and Quantification of Foodborne Pathogens

Foodborne pathogens are a continuous problem attracting the attention of public health institutions, microbiologists and food producers globally. The scientific community has therefore been focused for years on finding “new” and “better” methods, all in an effort to detect foodborne pathogens in the timeliest manner possible. It should be emphasized that the development of molecular genetics – the use of genetic information of biological macromolecules in routine testing in particular – has led to a revolutionary turn in biological science research. Almost all procedures detect different bacterial genetic footprint or biomarkers, which makes bacterial isolation unnecessary. However, these recent studies of “fast microbiological methods”, which require only a fewhours, rather than a few days, have not supplanted the classic way of microbiological food testing, i.e. the classic microbiological methods and the gold standard. The new methods are therefore faced with high requirements such as great detection limits, speed of analysis, relatively low costs and high sensitivity to identify various foodborne pathogens. Some of them provide the possibility of monitoring the pathogens, which is an important part of establishing a pathogen control network in the agri-food production chain at the international level. In this comprehensive literature review the authors present and review identification and quantification methodswith emphasis on the most important EU foodborne pathogens (Salmonella, Campylobacter, Escherichiacoli – STEC, Yersinia and Listeria). Methods have been divided into two large groups – Contemporary methods (Immunoassays and Polymerase Chain Reaction) and Novel approach methods (Biosensors, Bacterial typing, and Omics), and assessed by their functionality, advantages and disadvantages.

MALAYSIAN JOURNAL OF CHEMISTRY (MJChem) MJChem is double-blind peer reviewed journal published by the Malaysian Institute of Chemistry (Institut Kimia Malaysia) E-ISSN: 2550-1658 About Editor Reader Author Reviewer Register Login Vol 26 No 5 (2024): Malaysian Journal of Chemistry Date Published: 21 October 2024 Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activities of Coriander (Coriander sativum L.) Seeds Essential Oil Mazlin Mohideen*, Anis Mohd

MALAYSIAN JOURNAL OF CHEMISTRY (MJChem) MJChem is double-blind peer reviewed journal published by the Malaysian Institute of Chemistry (Institut Kimia Malaysia) E-ISSN: 2550-1658 About Editor Reader Author Reviewer Register Login Vol 26 No 5 (2024): Malaysian Journal of Chemistry Date Published: 21 October 2024 Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activities of Coriander (Coriander sativum L.) Seeds Essential Oil Mazlin Mohideen*, Anis Mohd

Problems of legal regulation of land tax under martial law in Ukraine

The article analyzes the peculiarities of land tax administration during the martial law regime. It is emphasized that in today's conditions, the payment of land tax has a significant role in forecasting and forming the revenue side of local budgets. In this article, the author reviews and analyzes such type of local budget revenues as land tax. Special attention is paid to the changes in tax legislation implemented during the martial law. The article emphasizes the complex character of the issues related to the calculation and payment of land tax under martial law, and the need for rational approaches of the legislature to resolve contradictory manifestations of legislative provisions.

LITERARY LITERACY

The work entitled "Literary Literacy: Teaching or Mediating Reading?" Carlos Eduardo Braga explores the importance of literary literacy in the educational context. The research addresses the dichotomy between direct teaching and the mediation of reading, investigating which approach is most effective in the formation of critical and proficient readers. The study highlights the relevance of literary literacy for the cognitive, emotional and social development of students, and proposes an analysis of pedagogical practices that can promote a more engaged and autonomous reading environment. The methodology used is bibliographic research, with literature review of renowned authors in the area.

Effect of Yoga Therapy on Hypothyroidism: A Systematic Review

Background Hypothyroidism (HT) is the most prevalent endocrine disorder, affecting approximately one in 10 out of 35 adults, with a higher prevalence in females and the elderly. Purpose This systematic review (SR) aimed to discuss the effects of yoga on markers and comorbid conditions of HT. Methods The SR was registered with the PROSPERO (PROSPERO 2022 CRD42022312990). Google Scholar, PubMed, Cochrane, and EMBASE were searched for the relevant English language interventional studies published from 31 December 1947 to 31 December 2023 by using the keywords ‘meditation OR breath regulation OR yoga OR yoga nidra AND hypothyroidism OR hypothyreosis OR underactive thyroid OR low thyroid’. Of the 4078 screened studies, eight eligible studies (three RCTs, two pilot studies, two pre-post trials, and one case study) with 421 HT patients (392 females and 29 males) and three to six-month yoga interventions were included. Two independent review authors extracted study characteristics and synthesised them descriptively. RCTs and NRSIs were assessed for risk-of-bias (RoB) using Cochrane tools RoB2 and ROBINS-1. Results The findings suggest that yoga effectively improves the thyroid profile, lipid profile, heart rate variability, pulmonary functions, anxiety, depression, and quality of life among HT patients. Conclusion Yoga may be an inexpensive add-on preventive and therapeutic option for HT. The clinical and methodological heterogeneity among the studies did not allow for meta-analysis (MA). Well-designed MAs are warranted by including rigorous RCTs to draw valid conclusions and defined mechanisms regarding the efficacy of yoga practices/interventions on HT.

“In My Experience…Reverse Shoulder Arthroplasty”

The author reviews his experiences with reverse total shoulder arthroplasty.

Code review in digital humanities

Abstract Software and computational methods offer tremendous possibilities for digital humanities research, both accelerating existing work and opening up entirely new questions. However, software also has the potential to introduce new kinds of errors into the research workflow. How do we know that the software developed for a digital humanities project is error free and does what we think it does? Code review is a widespread technique to improve software quality and reduce the number of flaws, where a programmer other than the author reviews and comments on the source code. However, given that many digital humanities developers work in developer teams of one, code review is often not possible. In this article, we share progress and insights from an effort to establish a community code review process for digital humanities, and provide background to help understand the need and potential impacts of this work.

ESTUDOS SOBRE DESIGUALDADES EDUCACIONAIS NO BRASIL: UMA ANÁLISE SOBRE ALGUNS ESTUDOS DE DESIGUALDADES NA EDUCAÇÃO BÁSICA NO BRASIL

This article presents an analysis of selected studies on educational inequalities in Basic Education in Brazil, addressing the main dimensions of these inequalities, such as socioeconomic, regional, racial, gender factors, and access for people with disabilities. Through a literature review of renowned authors, this work discusses the causes and consequences of educational inequalities and suggests possible solutions to promote more equitable and inclusive education. Socioeconomic inequality is identified as a significant factor, affecting school performance and dropout rates among low-income students. Regional inequalities are also highlighted, emphasizing the disparities between the North and Northeast regions and the more developed Southeast and South regions. Racial analysis reveals ongoing discrimination that hinders black and indigenous students, while gender inequalities, though less pronounced in terms of access, still affect girls' educational and professional choices. Additionally, the inclusion of students with disabilities remains a challenge due to the lack of adequate infrastructure and specific teacher training. The exacerbated impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is addressed, highlighting the digital divide and the need for effective public policies. Programs such as Bolsa Família and the National School Feeding Program (PNAE) are cited as positive measures, although insufficient without equitable resource allocation. The analysis concludes that a multifaceted and inclusive approach is essential to address the various forms of inequality in Basic Education in Brazil, aiming to ensure that all students have access to quality education, regardless of their socioeconomic, regional, racial, gender, or disability status.

PROBLEMA DE DESPLACAMENTO CERÂMICO EM OBRAS VERTICAIS

Before the arrival of the Europeans, the Brazilian indigenous peoples already practiced the use of ceramic production in an advanced way. Ceramic tiles can be found in different forms, such as floors, tiles, and tiles, and are available in a variety of colors, textures, and patterns, allowing for extensive customization of spaces. These materials are especially popular in areas such as kitchens, bathrooms, and outdoor spaces, where water and wear resistance are crucial. In addition, ceramic coating is a good thermal and acoustic insulator, contributing to the comfort of environments. Thus, this article aims to show the reader the importance of quality in the process of performing the service to avoid the inconvenience caused by the fact of the detachment. The research began through a literature review of the main authors on the subject of displacement. Based on studies carried out through articles, monographs, dissertations, theses, among others, it is clear that the peeling of tiles or ceramics is considered the most common and serious problem in civil construction and its cause is the most varied. Therefore, it is concluded that the main causes of ceramic peeling is nothing more than a defect in the system that did not allow the correct adhesion between the plates, the mortar and the wall or floor, causing the pieces to detach.

Аспекты торгово-экономического сотрудничества России и Таиланда в конце XX – начале XXI вв.

The work examines the modern trade-economic relations between Russia and Thailand in the context of the history of bilateral relations. The period of the 1990–2010s is shown as the next stage of Russian-Thai trade and economic cooperation, which largely maintain continuity, but in the new historical conditions have complete by newfeatures. The author reviews commodity nomenclature and the dynamics of trade turnover over the past 30 years,investigates the factors influencing the volume of Russian-Thai trade, analyzes the level of investment ties and theprofile of Russian and Thai investors.

Information market, educational and library environment in the contemporary digital setting: New trends and expectations (The annual paper delivered at the Eighth World Professional Forum “The Book. Culture. Education. Innovations” (“Gelendzhik-2024”))

The author reviews and analyzes the status and prospects for the educational and library technologies and information market within the digitalized community. The increasing AI role, its advantages and drawbacks in education and publishing are discussed. The library behavioral models under the new circumstances are evaluated. The libraries’ role in education support and user services is emphasized.

Модель организации деятельности полиции по оказанию помощи несовершеннолетним в Республике Крым

Assisting parents in correct upbringing of children, development of prosocial moral norms and principles is critical, an important function is undoubtedly played by social workers, teachers and psychologists. In the article, the author reviews special aspects of assistance of minors in the Republic of Crimea by police, areas of improvement of such activities along with some aspects of foreign experience of assistance of minors by police.

Assistive technologies, including orthotic devices, for the management of contractures in adults after a stroke.

Contractures (reduced range of motion and increased stiffness of a joint) are a frequent complication of stroke. Contractures can interfere with function and cause cosmetic and hygiene problems. Preventing and managing contractures might improve rehabilitation and recovery after stroke. To assess the effects of assistive technologies for the management of contractures in adults after a stroke. We searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, five other databases, and three trials registers in May 2022. We also searched for reference lists of relevant studies, contacted experts in the field, and ran forward citation searches. Randomised controlled studies (RCTs) that used electrical, mechanical, or electromechanical devices to manage contractures in adults with stroke were eligible for inclusion in this review. We planned to include studies that compared assistive technologies against no treatment, routine therapy, or another assistive technology. Three review authors (working in pairs) selected all studies, extracted data, and assessed risk of bias. The primary outcomes were passive joint range of motion (PROM) with and without standardised force, and indirect measures of PROM. The secondary outcomes included hygiene. We also wanted to evaluate the adverse effects of assistive technology. Effects were expressed as mean differences (MDs) or standardised mean differences (SMDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Seven studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Five of these were meta-analysed; they included 252 adults treated in acute and subacute rehabilitation settings. All studies compared assistive technology with routine therapy; one study also compared assistive technology with no treatment, but we were unable to obtain separate data for stroke participants. The assistive technologies used in the studies were electrical stimulation, splinting, positioning using a hinged board, and active repetitive motor training using a non-robotic device with electrical stimulation. Only one study applied stretching to end range. Treatment duration ranged from four to 12 weeks. The overall risk of bias was high for all studies. We are uncertain whether: • electrical stimulation to wrist extensors improves passive range of wrist extension (MD -7.30°, 95% CI -18.26° to 3.66°; 1 study, 81 participants; very low-certainty evidence); • a non-robotic device with electrical stimulation to shoulder flexors improves passive range of shoulder flexion (MD -9.00°, 95% CI -25.71° to 7.71°; 1 study; 50 participants; very low-certainty evidence); • assistive technology improves passive range of wrist extension with standardised force (SMD -0.05, 95% CI -0.39 to 0.29; four studies, 145 participants; very low-certainty evidence): • a non-robotic device with electrical stimulation to elbow extensors improves passive range of elbow extension (MD 0.41°, 95% CI -0.15° to 0.97°; 1 study, 50 participants; very low-certainty evidence). One study reported the adverse outcome of pain when using a hinged board to apply stretch to wrist and finger flexors, and another study reported skin breakdown when using a thumb splint. No studies reported hygiene or indirect measures of PROM. Only seven small RCTs met the eligibility criteria of this review, and all provided very low-certainty evidence. Consequently, we cannot draw firm conclusions on the effects of assistive technology compared with routine therapy or no therapy. It was also difficult to confirm whether there is a risk of harm associated with treatment using assistive technology. Future studies should apply adequate treatment intensity (i.e. magnitude and the duration of stretch) and use valid and reliable outcome measures. Such studies might better identify the role of assistive technology in the management of contractures in adults after a stroke.

CONSERVATISM AND LIBERALISM: THE SEARCH FOR A COMPROMISE IN THE CONTEXT OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF HISTORICAL SCIENCE IN RUSSIA

In the article, the author reviews modern research on the history of the development of conservatism in Russia. In particular, the problem of finding a compromise between conservative and liberal approaches in the context of the development of Russian historical science is considered.

The Polish system for the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage AD 2023 – achievements and challenges

The author discusses the current state of organisation of the Polish system for the safeguarding of intangible heritage under the UNESCO Convention 2003 after twenty years since the enactment of the Convention and after ten years of functioning of the National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage. In the introduction, the author recounts the obligations of a State-Party to the Convention and the beginnings of the Polish debate on the shape of the intangible heritage management system. In the main part of the article, the author reviews and assesses the scope and forms of implementation of the National Programme for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, planned in 2011–2012 by the National Heritage Board of Poland. In the conclusions, the author indicates the next most urgent needs faced by the environment responsible for the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage in Poland.